Scofield Named Elon Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach

ELON, N.C. – Elon women’s soccer head coach Chris Neal has announced the hiring of Sammy Scofield as the newest addition to the coaching staff heading into the 2016-17 season.

Scofield joins the Phoenix staff as an assistant coach after spending the last season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining the Wildcats, Scofield was a standout center back at the University of Notre Dame where she helped lead an Irish squad to four NCAA Tournament appearances and was a four-year Monogram winner.

“Sammy has many years of successful high-level experience, as a player and coach, that will allow her to provide tremendous perspective to our current student-athletes,” said Neal. “During the interview process, Sammy immediately proved she has the necessary drive and competitive fire to help our program achieve new levels. I’m excited for her to arrive on Elon’s beautiful campus.”

The Wildcats finished 9-7-2 overall and 3-5-3 in the SEC during the 2015 season. Kentucky head coach Jon Lipsitz sees a bright future in Scofield’s coaching career. “Sammy is a fantastic hire and will make an immediate impact,” said Kentucky’s head women’s soccer coach Jon Lipsitz. “She knows the game and has the work ethic to make an impact on the college game. I am excitied to watch her continue to grow as a great young coach.”

While playing for Notre Dame, Scofield started in 79 of her 88 total matches during her four-year career, including being named the team’s Most Valuable Freshman during in 2011. She was named a team captain for her senior season in 2014. She was also a four-time Monogram award winner.

Current Notre Dame head coach Theresa Romangnolo, who coached Scofield during her senior season, thinks she will bring a vast wealth of experience and knowledge to the Elon program. “Sammy will bring a tremendous level of elite playing experience to her coaching position at Elon, said Notre Dame head women’s soccer coach Theresa Romangnolo. “She will be able to help pass on her knowledge of the game as well as provide support to the staff in all areas of the coaching role. It’s a great opportunity for her to learn and grow as a coach.”

Current manager of NWSL’s Houston Dash and former Notre Dame head coach Randy Waldrum, who recruited Scofield, believes that her success, defensive knowledge, and mentality can add to the culture of the program. “I’m very excited to hear that Sammy will be joining the coaching staff at Elon,” said coach Waldrum. “She is a true warrior and competitor, so she’ll bring that winning mentality to those young players. She understands the game well and should be a great asset in helping with their defensive structure. I think it’s a great hire and great opportunity for both Sammy and Elon.”

In 2012, Scofield earned an invitation to United States Under-23 National Team camp in January in Sarasota, Fla. She was also part of the 2010 U-18 National Team player pool, participating in U-18 camp in April 2010 at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

In addition to her coaching experience at Kentucky, Scofield previously worked with Coerver Coaching of Illinois and Indiana, was the head coach of the Michiana Echo U-13 Girls in 2015, and a camp counselor for Notre Dame Women’s Soccer Summer Camps and for the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars.